Law garden / New Jersey
If you're Jane Doe in New Jersey
What New Jersey's crime victim compensation law says, in plain words. Each line links to the exact sentence it comes from.
Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO), run by New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, Victims of Crime Compensation Office.
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Eligibility page
NJ VCCO Eligibility pageNJ-S2
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
- $25,000the most you can ask for in totalN.J.S.A. 52:4B-18
- 5 yearsto apply, from the date it happenedN.J.S.A. 52:4B-18
- Police reportthe program asks for oneN.J.S.A. 52:4B-18
- $0what a forensic exam should cost youN.J.S.A. 52:4B-52(k)
What the program can pay for
The most the program can pay for all costs together is $25,000.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18
N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18NJ-CAP-1
Except as the statute otherwise provides, the most the program can award is $25,000.
compensation shall not be awarded under P.L.1971, c.317 (C.52:4B-1 et seq.) in an amount in excess of $25,000
Medical care
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(a)1
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(a)1NJ-COV-MED
Unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical care and other necessary services caused by the crime are reimbursable.
Reimbursable expenses include those unreimbursed and unreimbursable out-of-pocket expenses or indebtedness for medical care or other necessary services, loss of earnings, loss of support, pecuniary loss to the dependents of deceased victims, and other reasonable pecuniary loss resulting from the personal injury or death of the victim.
Counseling
- Counseling is capped at $20,000 per claim, no matter how many sessions, except in catastrophic cases.
Show the law for this line: VCCO Application, Section 5 (Services Requested)and 1 more
VCCO Application, Section 5 (Services Requested)NJ-COV-COUNSEL
Mental health counseling related to the crime and not covered by insurance can be paid.
Counseling: Mental health counseling expenses related to the incident and not covered by insurance.
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.4(b)NJ-COUNSEL-1
(b) Except for cases determined to be catastrophic in nature, the maximum award for unreimbursed and unreimbursable counseling expenses shall be $ 20,000, notwithstanding the number of counseling sessions attended.
Prescriptions
Show the law for this line: VCCO Application, Section 5 (Services Requested)
VCCO Application, Section 5 (Services Requested)NJ-COV-RX
Prescription costs from a crime-related injury that insurance does not fully cover can be paid.
Prescription: Prescription expenses directly related to a crime related injury and not totally covered by insurance.
Dental care
Show the law for this line: VCCO Application, Section 5 (Services Requested)
VCCO Application, Section 5 (Services Requested)NJ-COV-DENTAL
Dental costs from a crime-related injury that insurance does not fully cover can be paid.
Dental: Dental expenses directly related to a crime related injury and not totally covered by insurance.
Travel
- Crime-related transportation is reimbursed at up to $10 a day, figured at 31 cents per mile.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.8(a)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.8(a)NJ-TRANS-1
(a) Maximum reimbursement for transportation expenses incurred as a direct result of the incident giving rise to the claim shall not exceed $ 10.00 a day, calculated at the rate of.31 cents per mile up to the daily maximum allowance.
Lost pay
- Lost earnings are paid at no more than $600 a week.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(a)1and 1 more
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(a)1NJ-COV-WAGES
Lost earnings caused by the crime are reimbursable.
Reimbursable expenses include those unreimbursed and unreimbursable out-of-pocket expenses or indebtedness for medical care or other necessary services, loss of earnings, loss of support, pecuniary loss to the dependents of deceased victims, and other reasonable pecuniary loss resulting from the personal injury or death of the victim.
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.5(h)NJ-WAGES-1
(h) The weekly maximum reimbursement for loss of earnings or support shall not exceed $ 600.00.
Home security
- If the victim cannot move, the same $3,000 relocation allotment can go toward an alarm system, new locks, or other home security devices. It is not an extra $3,000 on top of relocation.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.7(d)2
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.7(d)2NJ-SEC-1
In the event a victim is unable to relocate due to home ownership or other personal circumstances, the Office may apply the $ 3,000 allotted for moving expenses towards the victim's purchase of a security alarm system, new door locks, or any other reasonable home security device(s), needed for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the victim and the victim's family.
Moving
- Moving expenses are capped at $3,000, when the Office finds relocation is needed for the victim's health and safety.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.7(d)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.7(d)NJ-RELOC-1
(d) Maximum reimbursement for moving expenses shall be $ 3,000.
Child care
- Child care or day care is capped at $6,500 in total, except in catastrophic cases.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.11(a)2
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.11(a)2NJ-CHILD-1
2. Except for cases determined to be catastrophic in nature, reimbursement for child care and/or day care services shall not exceed $ 6,500 in the aggregate.
Clothing and bedding
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.12(d)1
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.12(d)1NJ-COV-CLOTH
As part of crime scene clean-up, the Office may pay the reasonable replacement value of bedding and clothing.
The Office may award compensation for the reasonable replacement value of bedding and clothing;
Crime scene cleanup
- Crime scene clean-up is capped at $4,000 in total.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.12(f)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.12(f)NJ-CLEAN-1
(f) An award of compensation for crime scene clean-up shall not exceed $ 4,000 in the aggregate.
Legal help
- The Office can pay up to $10,000 to a lawyer who helps the victim with a legal matter arising from the crime (other than the compensation claim itself).
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.10(b)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.10(b)NJ-LEGAL-1
(b) The Office may allow payment of an attorney fee, including costs, up to a maximum of $ 10,000, to an attorney who provides legal assistance to a victim in any legal matter, other than a decision of the Office, arising from, or related to, having been the victim of the offense that forms the basis of the victim's or claimant's application for compensation.
Funeral costs
- When the victim dies, funeral costs are capped at $7,500.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.9
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.9NJ-FUNERAL-1
In claims involving the death of a victim, the maximum reimbursement for funeral expenses shall be $ 7,500.
What it does not pay for
Transportation that is not medical is not covered, except travel to court proceedings related to the crime.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.8(a)1
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.8(a)1NJ-TRANS-2
All non-medically related transportation costs are excluded other than attendance at any court proceeding related to the crime.
Lost or damaged personal property, such as a phone, is not reimbursed unless the rules specifically allow it (for example, some crime scene items).
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(f)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(f)NJ-EXCL-PROP
(f) Except as otherwise permitted by this chapter, no compensation shall be awarded for loss of personal property or property damage.
The program does not pay for pain and suffering.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(e)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-4.1(e)NJ-EXCL-PAIN
(e) In making its award, the Office shall make no allowance for pain and suffering.
The forensic exam
You should not get a bill for a sexual assault forensic exam.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 52:4B-52(k)and 2 more
N.J.S.A. 52:4B-52(k)NJ-EXAM-1
Each county Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program must make sure survivors are not charged any fee for services directly tied to the forensic exam, including screening, STI prophylaxis, pregnancy tests and emergency contraception.
Develop and implement procedures to ensure that victims of sexual assault are not charged any fee for services that are directly associated with forensic sexual assault examinations, including routine medical screening, medications for prophylaxis of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, supplies, equipment and use of space.
NJ OAG, Sexual Assault Victims page (Forensic Nurse Examiner section)NJ-EXAM-2
The Attorney General's office says the medical-forensic exam is free, and a survivor does not have to report to police to get one.
The medical-forensic exam is free and a victim of sexual assault does not need to report the assault to the police to have an exam.
AG Standards for Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Assault (2018), Standard on the medical forensic exam, Non-Participating Examination FacilitiesNJ-EXAM-3
Under the Attorney General's SART standards, survivors are not charged for the forensic exam, preventive medication or the evidence kits, but emergency care beyond the exam itself can be billed under hospital policy.
Victims shall not be charged for the medical forensic exam, prophylactic medication, or the SAFE Kit and/or DFSA/Tox Kit. (N.J.S.A 52:4B-52(k)). However, the victim shall be charged pursuant to hospital policy for any services provided beyond this scope.
Police report
The program asks that the crime be reported to police.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18and 2 more
N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18NJ-REPORT-1
The crime must have been reported to police or another law enforcement agency within 9 months of when it happened or was reasonably discovered.
which had been reported to the police or other appropriate law enforcement agency within nine months after its occurrence or reasonable discovery
N.J.A.C. 13:75-3.1(b)NJ-REPORT-2
The Office can excuse a late police report for good cause.
The Office reserves the right to, upon determination that good cause exists for the delayed filing, make an exception to the requirement that the incident be reported to the police within the stated time period.
AG Standards for Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Assault (2018), Standard on the medical forensic examNJ-REPORT-3
The Attorney General's SART standards tell hospitals to inform survivors that compensation is only available to those who report the crime to law enforcement, even though the exam itself does not require a report.
Victims shall be informed that VCCO benefits are only eligible to those victims who report the crime to law enforcement.
The crime must have been reported to police or another law enforcement agency within 9 months of when it happened or was reasonably discovered.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18
N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18NJ-REPORT-1
which had been reported to the police or other appropriate law enforcement agency within nine months after its occurrence or reasonable discovery
The Office can excuse a late police report for good cause.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-3.1(b)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-3.1(b)NJ-REPORT-2
The Office reserves the right to, upon determination that good cause exists for the delayed filing, make an exception to the requirement that the incident be reported to the police within the stated time period.
The Attorney General's SART standards tell hospitals to inform survivors that compensation is only available to those who report the crime to law enforcement, even though the exam itself does not require a report.
Show the law for this line: AG Standards for Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Assault (2018), Standard on the medical forensic exam
AG Standards for Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Assault (2018), Standard on the medical forensic examNJ-REPORT-3
Victims shall be informed that VCCO benefits are only eligible to those victims who report the crime to law enforcement.
Deadline to apply
Apply within 5 years of the date it happened.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18
N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18NJ-FILE-1
Apply within 5 years of the injury, or later if the Office finds good cause for the delay.
unless the application has been made within five years after the date of the personal injury or death or after that date upon determination by the office that good cause exists for the delayed filing
If the victim was under 18, the 5-year clock starts on their 18th birthday.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18
N.J.S.A. 52:4B-18NJ-FILE-2
If the victim is under 18 years of age, the five-year limit on filing shall commence on the day the victim turns 18 years old.
For child sexual abuse, the application is due within 5 years after reasonable discovery of the injury and its link to the abuse, unless good cause is shown.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-3.1(a)3
N.J.A.C. 13:75-3.1(a)3NJ-FILE-3
In the case of child sexual abuse, defined as an act of sexual contact or sexual penetration between a child under the age of 18 and an adult, an application for compensation shall be filed within five years after reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to an act of child sexual abuse, unless good cause is shown, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:61B-1.
Keeping your name and address private
New Jersey's Address Confidentiality Program, run by the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families, gives victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault a substitute mailing address that public agencies must accept, so public records do not reveal where they live.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 47:4-2
N.J.S.A. 47:4-2NJ-ACP-1
to enable interagency cooperation with the Director of the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families in providing address confidentiality for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault, and reproductive health service patients and providers, and to enable public agencies to accept a program participant's use of an address designated by the director as a substitute mailing address.
VCCO claim files are confidential and are not government records open under the Open Public Records Act; nobody may inspect a victim's or claimant's file unless the law or a court order allows it.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-1.6(b)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-1.6(b)NJ-REC-1
The files maintained by the Office that relate directly to the handling of any claim for compensation filed by a victim or claimant are not government records subject to disclosure under the Open Public Records Act and shall be considered confidential.
How to apply
Online www.njvictims.org
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Contact page, applications and submission of documents
NJ VCCO Contact page, applications and submission of documentsNJ-SUB-1
Applications can be filed online through the VCCO claims system.
For applications and submission of documents, you may: File online @ www.njvictims.org
Mail VCCO, 50 Park Place, 5th floor, Newark, NJ 07102
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Claim Application and Instructions (oag.rev.8.25.20), Instructions page II sidebar
NJ VCCO Claim Application and Instructions (oag.rev.8.25.20), Instructions page II sidebarNJ-SUB-2
Paper applications go by mail to the VCCO office in Newark.
Mail all applications to Newark office at: VCCO 50 Park Place, 5th floor Newark, NJ 07102
Fax 973-648-3937
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Contact page, applications and submission of documents
NJ VCCO Contact page, applications and submission of documentsNJ-SUB-3
Applications and documents can be faxed to the VCCO.
Fax: 973-648-3937
Phone 973-648-2107
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Eligibility page
NJ VCCO Eligibility pageNJ-S2
The program's own page, saved by Tend.
If you need money soon
Emergency awards can be made before a final decision when compensation is likely and the applicant would face undue hardship without funds right away.
Show the law for this line: N.J.S.A. 52:4B-10.1(a)
N.J.S.A. 52:4B-10.1(a)NJ-EMERG-1
The Victims of Crime Compensation Office may make one or more emergency awards to any applicant for compensation pending final determination of a case, when it determines that compensation is likely to be provided and that the applicant will suffer undue hardship if funds are not made immediately available.
A single emergency award can be up to $7,500.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-5.1(c)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-5.1(c)NJ-EMERG-2
(c) The maximum amount of any emergency award shall not exceed $ 7,500.
Good to know before you apply
Anyone hurt by a crime in New Jersey can apply regardless of residence; New Jersey residents hurt elsewhere can apply if that state has no program or did not fully compensate them.
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Eligibility page, Preconditions for Eligibility
NJ VCCO Eligibility page, Preconditions for EligibilityNJ-RES-1
The crime must occur in New Jersey, although you need not be a New Jersey resident; or you must be a New Jersey resident who became a victim in another state or jurisdiction that does not have a crime victim compensation program or has a program which has not provided full compensation for your crime-related losses.
The program pays last, after insurance and other sources.
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Eligibility page, Moneys from other Sources
NJ VCCO Eligibility page, Moneys from other SourcesNJ-COLL-1
The Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) is the payer of last resort.
Money received or receivable from other sources because of the crime is taken into account when setting the award.
Show the law for this line: N.J.A.C. 13:75-9.1(a)
N.J.A.C. 13:75-9.1(a)NJ-COLL-2
(a) In determining the amount of compensation to be awarded, the Office shall take into consideration amounts received or receivable from other sources by the victim, claimant, and/or his or her dependents as a result of the offense or occurrence giving rise to the application.
There is no minimum loss requirement for crimes on or after June 26, 1995.
Show the law for this line: NJ VCCO Eligibility page, Preconditions for Eligibility
NJ VCCO Eligibility page, Preconditions for EligibilityNJ-MINLOSS-1
There are no minimum loss requirements for incidents occurring on or after June 26, 1995.
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If you're Jane Doe in New Jersey: you can ask for up to $25,000, and you should never get a bill for a forensic exam.
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